Parks Canada says staff have killed a coyote in the MacIntosh Brook area of Cape Breton Highlands National Park, but it’s not clear if the coyote is the same one that bit a visitor to the park on Thursday.
In an email to CBC Sunday night, Parks Canada said officials killed a coyote Saturday after it “repeatedly approached patrolling staff, indicating a loss of natural fear toward humans and behaviour consistent with food conditioning.” But it said staff can’t be certain whether it’s the same coyote that was behind the initial encounter.
The organization also included more details about the circumstances surrounding Thursday’s incident. They said an individual was camping at MacIntosh Brook when they crossed paths with an aggressive coyote.
“While retreating to the cook shelter, the visitor fell and sustained bite wounds to their leg from the coyote. The visitor sustained minor injuries and has since received medical attention,” Parks Canada said.
Sections of Cape Breton Highlands National Park closed after coyote bite
MacIntosh Brook, Lone Shieling, and nearby look-offs have been closed since Thursday, Parks Canada said.
The organization said staff are continuing to patrol and “assess and address potential food attractants” in the area, and will install additional signage to warn visitors of potential encounters with wildlife.
Parks Canada did not provide a timeline for when these areas of the park may reopen, but did say it will provide updates “as appropriate.”
“Visitors and local residents are asked to respect all closures and signage, never feed wildlife and report concerning wildlife behaviour to Parks Canada staff,” officials said.
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